Nicola spent ten years as a TV producer, making shows about subjects ranging from problem pets to priceless paintings. Then, after her children were born, she decided to follow her dream of becoming an author and illustrator of children's books. She went back to college to do an MA in Children's Book Illustration at Cambridge School of Art. Her debut book, The Strongest Mum, was shortlisted for the World Illustration Awards in 2019 and she was awarded theIndependent Booksellers' Best New Illustrator Award, 2019. Cat and Dumpling is Nicola's first chapter book series. It has been specifically designed as a child's very first, sharable chapter book series.